Tamil Nadu: Sensing Another 2014, AIADMK To Seal Poll Pact With BJP And Several Other Minor Outfits In Tow

Tamil Nadu politics may take a different stride as All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will reportedly strike a poll pact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, reports Times Of India.

TOI quoted sources from both parties as saying that high-level panels are being constituted to discuss alliances, seat-sharing, campaigns and a manifesto. The tie-up is also reported to be concluded this week. However, a formal announcement would be made after 10 February.

The AIADMK is not expected to contest in more than 24 seats, and the allies would include Dr Anbumani Ramdoss' Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), Vijayakant's DMDK, GK Vasan's TMC, K Krishnaswamy's Puthiya Thamizhagam and educationalist TR Pachamuthu's IJK.

"The party is in talks with like-minded parties, both national and regional, for allying in the Lok Sabha polls. While the names of parties cannot be mentioned now, AIADMK will head the alliance," TOI quoted O Panneerselvam, Deputy CM and AIADMK coordinator as saying.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswamy's close associates, SP Velumani and P Thangamani are believed to be in constant touch with BJP chief Amit Shah and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

"For a Lok Sabha election, it is good to have a national party in tow and BJP might emerge the favourite again to form a government at the Centre," TOI quoted a senior AIADMK leader as saying.